President Bola Tinubu has stated that the first two years of a possible second term in office would be committed to more work.
He emphasised that his administration would continue pursuing difficult economic reforms aimed at securing Nigeria’s future.
Tinubu shared this at the Africa CEO Forum which ended today.
Speaking during an interview session, he likened the hardship associated with the reforms to childbirth, arguing that temporary pain would eventually lead to long-term benefits.
“It is difficult, it is painful, but it is just like the human reproduction process. A woman carries a pregnancy, enjoys the pain of labour, and has a very big smile when she sees a live child,” the president said.
APC primaries: Tinubu urges leaders to prioritise women, youth
Tinubu links citizenship to tax payment, says non-taxpayers “not citizens”
Nigeria Airways pensioners cry out over missing N36bn in budget, urge Tinubu’s intervention
Tinubu also defended taxation as a necessary tool for development, stating that citizens demanding quality infrastructure and social services must be willing to contribute financially through taxes.
“Nobody wants to pay taxes ordinarily. Taxation is not friendly to the wealthy, to the middle class, and to the poor. Every human being expects development, but the question they don’t answer is, how do you pay for it?
“You want a very good highway, but you don’t want it to go through your land. You want a good hospital and don’t want to pay taxes. How do you care for the vulnerable? How do you protect the future of the children?” he questioned.
The President added that paying taxes was a key civic responsibility.
“A citizen that pays taxes is a citizen, whether corporate or individual,” he said.
Highlighting what he described as early gains of his administration’s reforms, Tinubu said the economy had become more stable and predictable.
“Today there is a very bright light at the end of the corner; the economy is stable, the naira is stable, predictable, planners can do a reasonable budget, they can plan their lives well,” he said.
He said the government is also implementing direct cash transfers to vulnerable households and supporting indigent students through grants and allowances.
“For those students ordinarily who would stay out of school because their parents cannot afford school fees, they are now in school. I’m even giving them allowances and upkeeps for their school,” he said.
